US 6,556,849 B2 · Switchable superconductive inductor

Abstract

An inductor for microwave frequencies has a substantially planar structure and is constructed of a transmission line designed as a linear microstrip element made of a central line comprising normal electrically conducting material, such as a suitable metal. The microstrip element has a width which is varied by making areas at sides of the central line superconducting. By changing the effective width of the microstrip, the inductance of the microstrip is changed accordingly. The areas at the sides of the microstrip element in the non-superconducting state may have some electrical conductivity. However, because they contact the central metal conductor only at a very narrow edge, instead of contacting it at a large surface, the side superconducting areas do not significantly affect the transmission characteristics of the transmission path when the superconducting areas are in the normal state.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An inductor for microwaves, comprising

a microstrip line disposed on a substrate and having the shape of a substantially straight strip of a uniform width, the microstrip line having an input end for receiving an incoming microwave and an output end for forwarding a microwave incoming to the input end, the microstrip line having opposite first and second sides between the input and output ends, the microstrip line further including an electrically conducting material that does not exhibit superconducting properties above a particular temperature;
and
two strip-shaped regions formed on the substrate in the same plane as the microstrip line that is substantially parallel to a surface of the substrate, one of the two strip-shaped regions located at and in direct connection with the microstrip line along the first side of the microstrip line and another of the two strip-shaped regions located at and in direct connection with the microstrip line along the second side of the microstrip line, the two strip-shaped regions including a material that exhibits superconducting properties above the particular temperature.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Switchable superconductive inductor

Life of this patent

Switchable superconductive inductor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13